Jacob Plummer, 2, of Lebanon, and his brother Lucas, 5, color at Kilton Library on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in Lebanon, N.H. (Valley News - Jovelle Tamayo) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Jacob Plummer, 2, of Lebanon, and his brother Lucas, 5, color at Kilton Library on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in Lebanon, N.H. (Valley News - Jovelle Tamayo) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Credit: Valley News — Jovelle Tamayo

Lebanon — At the end of the school year, Amber Coughlin, children’s librarian for Lebanon Libraries, visits the city’s schools to talk to students about summer reading. The goal, Coughlin said, it to “get them excited,” about programs coming up at the Lebanon Public Library in downtown Lebanon and the Kilton Public Library in West Lebanon. “It’s a really wonderful way to get kids into the library.”

At this point, libraries are in the midst of their summer events.

“We try to offer programs that appeal to a wide variety of kids,” Coughlin said.

In a recent conversation, Coughlin shared information about upcoming programs and what kids these days are interested in reading. All events are free and open to the public.

Special Events

Magician Peter Boie returns on July 31, for a 2 p.m. performance at Kilton. “He is a wonderful comedic magician,” Coughlin said. “He’s quite beloved.”

Comedic balloon performer Jungle Jim will be visiting on Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. at Kilton, with a Minecraft-themed program. “He does balloon artistry, magic and improv,” Coughlin said.

The libraries also hold Friday Family Matinees. The next one is the Lego Batman Movie, this Friday at 2 p.m., at Kilton. Coughlin said she expects it’ll draw quite the crowd. “I’ll be making lots of popcorn,” she said.

At Colburn Park on Wednesdays, weekly story times begin at noon. Attendees are encouraged to bring lunch and have a picnic, weather permitting.

What the Kids Are Reading

The video game Minecraft is a “hot topic among kids these days,” Coughlin said. “I’m actually kind of astonished at how popular Minecraft is, even among little kids.” The video game has sparked a series of books.

“Any time I have Minecraft books in the library, I can’t keep them on the shelves,” Coughlin said.

Graphic novels continue to grow in popularity, particularly Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl series, Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series and “all the Raina Telgemeier books,” Coughlin said.

“The graphic novels are just wonderful,” she said. “We’ve been steadily adding to the graphic novel collection.” The books are a good way to keep kids reading, particularly in the warmer months.

“I think that some of them are just such great books to read,” Coughlin said, “particularly in the summertime because you can read them kind of quickly. What a perfect way to spend a rainy day in the summer.”

Editor’s note: For more information about programs at the Lebanon Libraries, visit www.leblibrary.com. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.